SKYWORTH Auto HT-i

Model Overview

The SKYWORTH HT-i is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV introduced by SKYWORTH Auto. First unveiled in March 2022 and officially launched on 5 September of the same year, it serves as the brand's second mass-produced model following the SKYWORTH EV6. Positioned as a pivotal model in SKYWORTH Auto's cross-sector foray into the new energy vehicle (NEV) segment, the HT-i was tasked with the strategic mission of securing a foothold in the PHEV market. The vehicle's defining hallmark is its core powertrain sourced from BYD FinDreams Powertrain, making it the first third-party mass-production model to adopt BYD's DM-i super hybrid technology. As of June 2026, the official recommended retail price across the range spans from RM89,800 to RM316,800, reflecting considerable variation across different variants. In March 2025, following the introduction of a 1.5T plug-in hybrid setup on the "Zhiqing Edition", its core price bracket was revised to between RM89,800 and RM155,800.

Design Language

In terms of exterior styling, the SKYWORTH HT-i largely retains the silhouette of the SKYWORTH EV6, distinguished primarily at the front by what the brand terms its "Gravitational Wave Aesthetics" design language. Up front, a borderless grille stretches outward to integrate seamlessly with L-shaped chrome accents, delivering a bold visual stance; flanking the grille are matrix LED headlamps featuring spiral light guides or four-element rectangular clusters, with flagship variants boasting laser headlamps that offer an illumination range of up to 500 metres. Along the sides, an ascending full-length shoulder line is complemented by a floating roof design and dynamic 19-inch alloy wheels, creating a squarish, substantial, and planted family SUV profile. Round the back, a full-width LED taillight bar houses an illuminated "SKYWORTH" script that lights up in tandem, offering strong visual identification. In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,720 mm in length, 1,908 mm in width, and 1,701 mm in height, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase, squarely categorising it as a mid-size SUV.

Inside, the cabin features a wraparound T-shaped dashboard layout with continuous air-conditioning vents, paired with a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch or 15.6-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen. The dashboard and door cards are generously trimmed in soft-touch leather and accented with wood-grain panels, while the steering wheel and seats feature a blend of leather and suede upholstery, exuding a sense of premium craftsmanship that punches above its price bracket. A rotary electronic gear selector and a floating, dual-tier centre console beneath it seamlessly merge aesthetics with daily practicality.

Powertrain and Performance

The powertrain stands as the SKYWORTH HT-i's core technical highlight—both its internal combustion engine and the Electric Hybrid System (EHS) are supplied by BYD FinDreams Powertrain, matching BYD's proprietary DM-i system on a hardware level. Under the bonnet is a Xiaoyun PHEV-dedicated 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (with a 1.5T variant offered separately) featuring Atkinson cycle combustion and cooled EGR technology, delivering a high 15.5:1 compression ratio and a 43.04% thermal efficiency. It puts out 81 kW and 135 Nm of torque; working in tandem with an E-CVT gearbox and a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 130 kW and 300 Nm, the setup delivers a combined system output of 211 kW and 430 Nm. Meanwhile, the Zhiqing Edition introduced in March 2025 swaps in a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine rated at 115 kW (around 156 PS) and 250 Nm, coupled with a 160 kW / 330 Nm front electric motor to deliver a combined output of 218 PS. The official 0–100 km/h sprint is completed in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 170 km/h. In terms of battery and range, range-topping variants pack a 32.76 kWh Farasis Energy ternary lithium battery, yielding a CLTC pure electric driving range of 200 km; with a full tank and full charge, the official combined cruising range reaches up to 1,267 km, while depleted-battery fuel consumption under WLTC cycles is rated as low as 5.3 to 5.6 L/100 km. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) reverse charging functionality is supported to power external electrical appliances. The battery also supports DC fast charging, taking approximately 0.55 hours for a 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) top-up.

Chassis and Handling

The entire SKYWORTH HT-i range adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout, built on a suspension setup consisting of front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup, with select high-spec variants further refined with a five-link rear configuration. The suspension damping is unequivocally biased towards ride comfort—favouring compliance over outright stiffness, which suits its role as a family-oriented mid-size SUV. On the move, the chassis does an admirable job of soaking up minor road imperfections and ruts; road shocks over uneven surfaces at lower speeds are nicely muted before entering the cabin, ensuring a pliant overall ride. Steering duties are handled by an electric power steering (EPS) system with a brushless motor, backed by ventilated front discs and solid rear disc brakes, while an electronic parking brake (EPB) with Auto Hold and Hill Start Assist comes standard across the board. Drivers can toggle between drive modes such as Standard/Sport or Comfort/Eco/Sport, paired with an intelligent active regenerative braking system. Wheel and tyre packages vary by variant, offering 235/55 R18, 235/50 R19, and 245/45 R20 options.

Cabin and Equipment

The SKYWORTH HT-i comes equipped with the SKYLINK intelligent in-car operating system. The floating central infotainment display has evolved from an earlier 12.8-inch unit to a larger 15.6-inch screen, supporting voice command, 4G/5G connectivity, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, GPS navigation, mobile app remote vehicle telematics, and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality. Upgraded processing hardware has also been phased in across model revisions. On the seating front, the cabin features leather or combination leather-suede upholstery, with front seats offering power adjustments alongside heating and ventilation functions; select variants add sleep-assist headrests, an electric leg rest, and front passenger "boss buttons". The rear seats feature recline angle adjustment and 60:40 split-folding; folding them flat expands boot capacity from 467 litres to 1,141 litres, yielding a virtually flat cargo floor suited for hauling bulky gear or serving as a rest area. Additional creature comforts include an operable panoramic glass roof, an 8-speaker audio setup, 128-colour ambient lighting, a PM2.5 air purification filter, and an air ioniser, with select high-spec variants also receiving dedicated rear air-conditioning vents.

Safety and Driver Assistance

When it comes to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the SKYWORTH HT-i provides tiered equipment levels depending on the variant. Higher-spec models come equipped with Level 2 or Level 2+ driver assistance suites, packing key features such as full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), a 360-degree surround-view camera, and automated parking assist. On the active safety front, core systems including Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Traction Control System (TCS) are fitted as standard across the range. However, passive safety equipment presents a noticeable disparity—entry- and mid-tier variants make do with just two airbags, raising industry eyebrows regarding their crash protection in high-impact collisions. Coupled with the SKYWORTH EV6's dismal one-star crash test rating (39.9% overall score) from C-NCAP, the HT-i—despite not undergoing a published independent crash test in its own right—has faced consumer scepticism regarding its structural safety owing to its shared platform architecture.

Market Performance and Verdict

Since its market launch, the SKYWORTH HT-i has struggled to gain sales traction. Total annual sales in 2024 amounted to just 4,271 units. The downtrend worsened into 2025, with full-year registrations slipping to around 1,587 units and monthly numbers languishing between 100 and 200 units. As of June 2026, delivery volumes remain subdued, leaving the model with a negligible footprint in its segment. Key factors behind its lacklustre performance include: weak brand equity, where consumers remain naturally hesitant about "home appliance brands building cars"; an absence of standout USPs such as cutting-edge autonomous driving tech, leaving it vulnerable to fierce pressure in the RM100,000 to RM150,000 PHEV SUV segment from heavyweight rivals like the BYD Song PLUS DM-i, Haval Xiaolong MAX, and Deepal S05; and a string of controversial claims by the brand's founder (such as claiming "driving a SKYWORTH car can extend your lifespan by 30 years"), which dented public brand perception. That said, looking strictly at product fundamentals, the HT-i still presents a sensible proposition for budget-conscious families seeking a spacious PHEV SUV, buoyed by the proven efficiency of BYD's DM-i hybrid hardware, generous cabin space courtesy of its 2,800 mm wheelbase, and increasingly aggressive retail pricing (with entry variants dipping as low as RM89,800). As the pioneer model to feature third-party adoption of BYD's DM-i powertrain, the SKYWORTH HT-i's collaborative framework retains notable industry significance—it marked the opening chapter of a top-tier NEV supplier licensing core technology to cross-sector entrants, providing a valuable case study for future tie-ups despite falling short commercially.